Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is such a beautiful story. I read the book a year and a half ago, which sets me up perfectly to enjoy an on-screen adaptation of the book (My recipe for success in this area? Read book. Love book so much that I want more. Let time pass — at least a year — so that the details of the book have softened in my mind. Watch movie.). For more details about the story if you are unfamiliar with it, please read my review of the book.
I didn’t rush to watch the movie for the same reason I hesitated to read the book — it’s a tough story dealing with the pain of regret. But once I started reading the book, I was drawn in by the beautiful language and heart-felt story.
In a similar way, the film is so visually appealing that it drew me in right away. Watching the movie — already knowing the story from the novel — gave it an even greater effect. The weight of Amir’s bad choices just hang in the air, since I know what’s going to happen. However, seeing it play out on screen, I had a slightly different reaction. Hassan’s loyalty seems more real and less of an archetype. Amir’s youth and insecurity is more readily understood. As time passes, watching Amir’s persistence and sacrifice to right his past wrongs gave me the same emotional reaction that the story of redemption in the book evoked.
If you’ve avoided this story because of its difficult content, I recommend this movie to you. You’ll get a taste of the story, but in a two-hour chunk with an uplifting ending, as opposed to having to invest in reading 400 pages — 400 beautifully written pages — but nonetheless. . . . On that note, I have to say that you will be reading a fair bit if you watch the movie. Most of it is subtitled, and this surprised me, even though I knew that the majority of it took place in Afghanistan.
It is not a story without hope. As the movie highlights “There is a way to be good again.” The movie’s ending is a bit happier than the book’s, not because anything material is changed, but because some of the details are left out. Some of you will like that.
Watching the movie has made me want to read the book again, and I’m sure that I will at some point, but for now, I think it’s encouraged me to finally read A Thousand Splendid Suns (I stated this same intent in my book review over a year and a half ago, but I kept delaying, and as always happens, other books got in the way, but will you believe me now if I say I really, really plan to read it?). Khalid Hosseini is a beautiful storyteller.
In honor of the release of this movie (rated PG-13) in Blu-Ray format, I have one Kite Runner Blu-Ray DVD to give away (U.S. or Canadian shipping addresses).
It truly is a beautiful movie — the type that plays out wonderfully in high-definition format. There are also some great special features, including interviews with the director and the author of the book, which I enjoyed. Khaled Hosseini is even featured in the commentary on the movie (that I haven’t watched yet), which shows his active role in adapting his book to the screen.
He’s pleased with the movie. Yes, there is a lot cut out, but there are no significant changes, so even book purists will probably be pleased with this movie.
Just leave a comment if you’d like to win, and I’ll announce the winner on April 1.
In addition to books, managing editor Jennifer Donovan, loves a good story as told via a movie or TV series, which she most often enjoys on DVD. She blogs at Snapshot about life with her tween daughter and preschool son.
Maria says
I loved this book as well. It is not the type of book I normally read but it was highly recommended to me. I got my best friend to finally read it and she loved it as well. In my opinion, the movie was well done. My husband watched the movie but did not read the book. He enjoyed the movie and I told him he’d really love the book! Any news of a movie being made from A Thousand Splendid Suns? That was also a fascinating read!
Lauren says
I would like to see this (not from the giveaway, of course). I encourage you to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I liked* it even more than the Kite Runner, possibly because it is the story of women in Afganistan. I recommend it!
*Like isn’t really the appropriate word for this kind of story, but I consider it well worth the read.
Ms Ulat Buku says
I liked this book too but haven’t had a chance to catch the movie. Thanks for sharing though, will probably get myself a copy on DVD.
Janna Padilla says
I would love to win this!
DeSeRt RoSe says
I liked the book and have the movie but didn’t see it yet.. please do not enter me in the giveaway..
i just wanted to say I love your review 🙂
Mark says
Not my normal book or movie, but I did enjoy them. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns first and enjoyed it so much more.
Nancy Talan says
I already own the movie so no need to enter me in the giveaway, but I wanted to say that like Lauren, I LOVED A Thousand Splendid Suns, more than The Kite Runner. Equally difficult to read, also such it was a beautifully written story. I also think I liked it more because it was about the women in Afghanistan. You must read it soon!
gahome2mom says
I was just adding the Blog Party button on my site then your book giveaway came in the email. lol Thank you for the contests.
Angie says
I’d love to win it!
Anne says
I would love to win this movie! I have seen it once and I haven’t cried so much watching a movie in a long while!
We would love to have a copy!
Thanks
edj says
I LOVED this book and I really liked the movie too; I would love to have a copy.
And you’ll really enjoy “1000 Splendid Suns” too.
Karen B says
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet but both are on my to-do lists. Would love to win!
Katrina says
Thanks for this review. I read the book and, though it was hard (emotionally) to read at times, I really liked it — for the story, the language. I haven’t seen the movie yet, though, for the same reasons you mention. Not sure I’m ready for it yet, but one of these days…
Dawn says
Oh Jennifer, I LOVED this book, and quite honestly, I think I forgot that it was made into a movie! I think I’ll give the movie a shot, because it’s been quite a while since I read the book, and my memory is not all that good anyway. 🙂
susan varney says
yes i sure would like to win
Catherine copeland says
this was an amazing book and i just loved it. it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time
Denise says
I always wanted to see this movie, but I haven’t yet.
Michael Capp says
I’d love to win!
colten edwards says
love my blueray machine and don’t have nearly enough to watch on it
Meredith Rogen says
Great book & movie!
Mary Newland says
I downloaded this book to my mp3. It was a very touching story and well written.
sandy says
looks like a terrific story…
C. clemens says
bet its a great movie. we just got a new blueray!
Danielle says
I would love to win this movie. I am getting the book from the library tomorrow!
Linda Chaput says
I read the book and loved it.I hope the movie is as good.
Jeffrey Beckett says
Sign me up please!
Mary D says
Please enter me to win – thanx
PATRIC KRUEGER says
The book is great and the movie is also great.
Cynthia C says
I have read the book, but haven’t yet seen the movie. Thanks for the chance to win.
adrienne Gordon says
great movie
Amber G says
Please enter me – read the book but have not yet seen the movie.
DebbLou says
I read this book and loved it… haven’t seen the movie yet… would love to win the movie
thanks
debbebennett at yahoo dot com
Tracey Byram says
I would enjoy watching this movie.
Christina Brunetti says
I would love to have this.
Thanks
Sylvia Belle says
I read the book but would like the prize.
Teresa says
Look’s good!
Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) says
I’d love to watch this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Angela J says
Great movie, would like it in our collection
mindy says
nice movie thanks for the giveaway
Lucy Schwartz says
I too put off reading the book, but it is worth reading . I liked the book better because I really got a better understanding of the country and culture. Afghanistan is not a far away unknown rocky country with primitive people. My husband did not read the book but appreciated the movie.
Jennifer B. says
I have wanted to see this movie. It looks quite inspiring.
Jenn Elliott says
This would be awesome. Kite Runner is in the top 10 books I have ever read.
Nicole C. says
I loved this book and haven’t had the chance to see the movie yet!!!!
Djp says
a good win
Anita Yancey says
I have heard a lot about the book. I would love to read it. Please enter me.
Susan Smith says
Looks like a good movie
ellen cunningham says
I’d like to have a movie night with this dvd. Thanks for the chance.
Jamie Z says
I just read this book last month and it was amazing. i am currently reading 100 Splendid Suns and it is equally as brilliant. I would love to see this movie.
Toby says
I saw the movie and it was excellent. I would love to own a copy. Great prize!
David says
I haven’t seen this yet, thanks for the giveaway.